Little Falls transcript., 1887-03-04

~ returned Cosby, "who can warn
against the Doom that may be lnrk-
ing in ambush for the first tsof us fell
lows that leaves the Macenas?"
Rendered restless by the turn the
conversation had taken, Darby had
moved away from the group and was
leaving tile room. He heard the idle
words Cosby had spoken. He went
on as though he had not heard. Tho
baize doors swung shut after him.
"After all it may not be a. pitiless
doom to which one goes, you see,
Cosby" laughed Hardin. What
happier destiny could a poor devil
of a Macenas bachelor find awaiting
him than the wifely embraces of q
woman like Carolyn Lomax."
''There's many slip quoted
Cosby. "Fortune has a trick of smil-
ing on Darby, know; but she's tickle
beldame at best, and may play him
false when he least expects it,"
"pd take Phils chances for the
prize he's to draw from her tonight,
a. all events" said Hardin. "The
floral bell is swinging already in the
hall OF the Lomax House ready for his
wedding chimes. Ha! speaking OF the
decorations, that reminds me. Sar-
TIM, the florist, told me he had just
received an importation of Italian
plants, and promised Darby I'd call
by and tell him to send up one o.
those superb moon-howers for Miss
Lomax. Startini is certain he has
one that will put out it's. blossoms
just about the time OF the marriage
Darby thinks that would be a pleas
ing omen for his BRIDE"
He returned his paper to the file
and at once took his leave TO attend
to the commission.
A few hours later a brilliant COM
pany was assembled in the parlors OF
the Hon. Paul Lomax. They had
gathered there for the celebration OF
the marriage OF his daughter and heir
ess to Philander Darby. What fate
was there now which might balk the
most sacred plans OF the bridegroom's 8
life? Still Fortunes favorite, he had
already received at the altar, conse-
Grated by the high priest, Love, her
most gracious boon, in the coniural
vows Of the woman he adored, and,
among her bridal guests, his young
vile was moving, the stateliest and
loveliest OF them ALL
In q pause in the dance her eyes
frankly met his devouring gaze. He
was at her side in a moment.
"Come with me awhile, can ounot,
Carolyn" he eagerly whispered. cit
is q mad mockery to me, this phan-
tasmagoria of lights, flowers and nod
ding and bobbing puppets, forever in
terposing between you and me- Sure
ly we may be entitled to a quarter
OF an hours emancipation from the
shackles OF les convenances."
She smiled and, humoring his fancy,
put her hand within his arm.
"Where will you take me? There
are lights and people everywhere"
He looked down upon her, smiling.
'The moons rays only have right
to be where our moon.fower is oper-
ing it's blossoms. Dunbrek had had
less An artists eye had hefailed to see
the peculiar fitness of that alcove for
the sky charms OF our lunar plant"
She moved at his side, roseate and
palpitant. So this explained the dip
lomacy he had used in inducing the
old gardener to move some of his
choicest plants from the retired alcove
to give place to the heavy foliaged
plant sent up from Sartini's. He had
meant that only the moonbeams
should be there before herself and him
to see the faint, pink blossoms open
their hearts OF perfume. Much Of the
conservatory was in a blaze OF light,
as the balance Of the house was; but
by e. detour Darby succeeded in intro
ducing himself and his bride into the
alcoye unseen. In this transverse Sec
ton where the fern mounds ended, they
found, as anticipated, their seclusion
invaded only by the half light from
the outer conservatory and the splen-
dor of the moonlight that was flood.
ing the new plant. They bent togeth-
er over their floral treasure. The bride
uttered a little cry Of delight.
''See Phil, it has five or six blooms
on it already. and there are other
buds opening. Did you ever see any
thing lovlier?"
"Yes,'' he answered with gravity;
eyes. my Carolyn. l have seen some
thing loveller."
She bowed her veiled head lower
over the pretty flowers A strong arm
was passed about the slender figure.
"Oh, my beloved!' was whispered
in her ear, "these blossoms are but
insenate things, at best; don't waste
your caresses upon them. l am con-
sumed OF envy OF my own gift to
you"
She was yielding to his touch, ex.
panding into new beauty as the plant
was doing in the embrace OF the moons
rays.
Out from the shadows OF fern
mound, to one side OF the absorbed
lovers, a face, livid, sharpened,
contorted, glanced for a second.
The BRIDES veil caught in the calyx of
one of the half-opened buds. The
moon-plant shivered through all its
foliage. One OF it's stems snapped
sharply, and Carolyn drew back with
one OF the buds entangled in the mesh
of her veil.
"Ah, the pity OF it'll" she cried, tax
ing the despoiled buds into her jeweled
fingers and gazing upon it regretfully.
So intent was she looking at the bro
ken flower and SO intent was he gazing
at her in her wisttul beauty that nei-
ther OF them saw what the pair OF star
ing eyes, Swallowed by the fern fronds,
caught q glimpse of-the hideous,
many.legged beast that had darted
forth from the foliage OF the shaken
plant. Alert upon one OF the broad
leaves it stood until the quivering
foliage settled into stiffness, then it
crouched, waiting.
"Ah! Phil" murmured the bride, her
o1,o, 1o,r,o1 o~1 Ao, ~--:o,